New York City’s biggest block party returned Saturday with picture-perfect weather.
It was the start of the city’s Summer Streets program, kicking off in Queens and on Staten Island.
What to know about Summer Streets
For the next five Saturdays, the city will be shutting down more than 20 miles of public roadway, opening it up strictly for pedestrians, cyclists and runners.
There are plenty of activities, and they’re all completely free. The festivities last until 5 p.m.
In Queens, there was a 3K run hosted by New York Road Runners, bike rentals, a mobile rock-climbing wall, live mariachi bands, circus performers and even breakdancing lessons.
City officials say Summer Streets is all about reclaiming our public space – giving New Yorkers a safe, healthy place to move, connect with neighbors and experience the neighborhood from a whole new angle.
Last year, more than half a million New Yorkers participated. The city is hoping even more take advantage this year.
Summer Streets heads to Manhattan for the next three Saturdays – Aug. 1, Aug. 8 and Aug. 15 – before wrapping up in Brooklyn on Aug. 22.
Wear your sunscreen at Summer Streets
Saturday will feature abundant sunshine, low humidity, and highs in the low to mid 80s. This really is as good as it gets for late July in the New York City metro region.
CBS News New York
With nearly wall-to-wall sunshine, however, the risk of getting a sunburn is very high, coming in at 8 on the UV Index scale.
Queens Summer Streets road closures
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, the following streets will be shut down in Queens until 9 p.m. Saturday for Summer Streets:
33rd Road between Vernon Boulevard and Dead EndVernon Boulevard between Main Avenue and 30th DriveVernon Boulevard between 44th Drive and 45th AvenueMain Avenue / Astoria Boulevard between Vernon Boulevard and 21st StreetWelling Court between Main Avenue and 30th Avenue12th Street between Astoria Boulevard and 30th Avenue21st Street between Astoria Boulevard and 45th Avenue28th Avenue between Astoria Boulevard and 21st Street29th Avenue between 12th Street and 21st Street30th Avenue between Main Avenue and 21st Street30th Road between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street30th Drive between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street31st Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street31st Drive between Vernon Boulevard and 21st StreetBroadway between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street33rd Road between Vernon Boulevard and 12th Street34th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street35th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street36th Avenue between Roosevelt Island Bridge and 21st Street37th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street38th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street40th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st StreetQueens Plaza South between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street43rd Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street43rd Road between Vernon Boulevard and 12th Street44th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street44th Road between Vernon Boulevard and 21st Street44th Drive between Dead End and 21st Street45th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 21st StreetStaten Island Summer Streets road closures
The DOT has announced the following street closures through 9 p.m. Saturday for Summer Streets on Staten Island:
Forest Avenue between Clove Road and BroadwayDelafield Avenue between Elizabeth Street and BroadwayHenderson Avenue between Broadway and Campbell AvenueWayne Street between Broadway and Campbell AvenueClove Lake Place between Broadway and Elizabeth StreetArea bounded by Richmond Terrace on the North, Harvest Avenue on the South, Broadway on the West, North Burgher Avenue on the East (All Inclusive)Henderson Avenue between Alaska Street and Bement AvenueCastleton Avenue between Alaska Street and Oakland AvenueCary Avenue between Elizabeth Street and Oakland AvenueForest Avenue between Clove Road and Bement AvenueRichmond Terrace between Clove Road and Bard Avenue
Matthew Villafane
contributed to this report.